Outdoor torch canister system

ABSTRACT

A stop mount flange, attachable to a can, has a top rim. The stop mount flange includes an upper ring having a central opening. The upper ring includes a downwardly facing circular recess shaped to receive the top rim therein. The flange further includes a skirt extending downwardly from an outer edge of the upper ring, and a flange extending outwardly from a lower edge of the skirt. The top rim of a can be inserted into the circular recess of the upper ring to be received therein. The upper ring can be fixedly attached to the top rim by seam welding or press fitting such that the upper ring is attached to the top rim in a non-removable manner.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

See Application Data Sheet.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

THE NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not applicable.

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM (EFS-WEB)

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR A JOINT INVENTOR

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a stop mount flange for a can and an outdoor torch canister having the stop mount flange.

2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98

An outdoor torch is a pole-mounted torch, typically made of bamboo, which has increased in popularity as a popular decoration for a tropical island aesthetic. A well-known brand name of such products is the TIKI TORCH™.

Outdoor torches are adapted to receive a fuel filled canister or container with a wick. Current fuel canisters and containers however may have disadvantages such as poor aesthetic leading to poor lighting effect. Refillable canisters also lead to undesired spills, mess and waste.

In prior art fuel containers, a threaded top flange collar is threadably attached to the threaded spout of a refillable fuel ‘container unit. This requires the removal of the top flange collar, refilling of the fuel container with fuel, insertion of a new wick, and then reattachment of the flange collar. In some cases, a wick holder is needed, or a container holder is needed to re-insert the wick. This process is done on a repeated basis until the fuel container is worn out.

These practices often lead to damage, mess and waste as used canisters of the prior art are often messy from fuel spills and warped in shape from the heat in use. Further, this presents worker hazards in the handling of fuel containers and refilling of fuel. The cost of manufacturing the threadable flange to fit a threaded opening is also higher.

The present invention seeks to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a stop mount flange attachable to a can having a top rim, the stop mount flange comprising an upper ring having a central opening, the upper ring including a downwardly facing circular recess shaped to receive the top rim therein, a skirt extending downwardly from an outer edge of the upper ring, and a flange extending outwardly from a lower edge of the skirt,

wherein the top rim of a can be inserted into the circular recess of the upper ring to be received therein and the upper ring can be fixedly attached to the top rim by seam welding or press fitting such that the upper ring is attached to the top rim in a non-removable manner.

In one embodiment, the skirt has a height chosen to space the flange downwardly from the upper ring by a desired distance.

In another embodiment, the flange has a downwardly directed peripheral edge.

In another embodiment, the flange extends perpendicularly to the skirt.

In another embodiment, the flange is angled downwardly relative to the skirt.

In another embodiment, the flange includes spaced strengthening grooves formed therein.

In another aspect, the invention provides a fuel canister comprising

a base wall, a sidewall, and a top wall having an opening closed by a removable cap,

a wick holder disc disposed underneath the top wall and the cap, the wick holder disc having an outer rim which is seam welded or pressed with the periphery of the top wall and a top edge of the sidewall to form a top rim of the fuel canister, and

the stop mount flange of the above attached to the top rim.

The fuel canister comprises liquid or semi-liquid fuel therein with a wick or wicks which is/are exposed by removal of the cap.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method of providing a stop mount to a container having a top rim, the method comprising:

providing an upper ring adapted to receive and be seam welded or press fitted to the top rim, wherein the upper ring includes an outwardly extending flange.

Preferably, the flange is spaced from the top rim by providing a skirt between the upper ring and the flange.

Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is (a) top perspective view and (b) bottom perspective view of a fuel canister with a stop mount flange in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the fuel canister with the stop mount flange.

FIG. 3 is an exploded schematic view showing the stop mount flange prior to attachment to the main container.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of the stop mount flange after attachment to the main container.

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the stop mount flange.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the stop mount flange inverted.

FIG. 7 is an exploded cross-sectional schematic view of the fuel canister with the stop mount flange.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional schematic view of the assembled fuel canister with the stop mount flange.

FIG. 9 is a side schematic view of the assembled fuel canister with the stop mount flange mounted to an outdoor torch.

FIG. 10 is a side schematic view of the assembled fuel canister with a modified embodiment of the stop mount flange having a downwardly angled flange.

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of another modified embodiment of the stop mount flange having strengthening grooves formed in the flange.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the downwardly angled flange stop mount having strengthening grooves formed in the flange.

FIG. 13 is a side schematic view of an assembled fuel canister having the stop mount flange of FIG. 12 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It should be noted in the following description that like or the same reference numerals in different embodiments denote the same or similar features.

FIGS. 1 to 4 show a fuel canister 10 according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention. The fuel canister 10 comprises a main container 20 and a stop mount flange 30 attached thereto.

The main container 20 in the example shown is shaped as a cylindrical can having a base wall 22, circular sidewall 24 and a top wall 26. The top wall 26 includes a peripheral top rim 27 and a container cap 28. The cap 28 is press-fit to cover an opening 29 in the top wall 26. The opening 29 has a wide width which terminates close to the top rim 27. The main container 20 is hollow and will hold liquid or semi-liquid fuel therein with a wick or wicks which is/are exposed by removal of the cap 28.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show additional details of the main container 20. When the main container 20 is being formed, the process starts with the base wall 22 and sidewall 24 and an open top, which is then filled with fuel. The cap 28 is pressed to the top wall 26 to close the opening 29, and a wick holder disc 23 is disposed underneath the top wall 26 and the cap 28. The holder disc 23 has an outer rim which is seam welded/pressed with the periphery of the top wall 26 and the top edge of the sidewall 24 to form the top rim 27 and close the container 20. The holder disc 23 holds a wick 25. The wick holder disc 23 is thus fixed in position and holds the wick 25 in a reliable manner. The wick holder disc 23 can also be omitted with the container holding gel type fuel.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6 , the stop mount flange 30 has a central opening 32 and comprises an upper ring 31 which is shaped to receive the top rim 27. The upper ring 31 includes a downwardly facing circular recess 33 shaped to receive the top rim 27 therein. A skirt 34 extends downwardly from an outer edge of the upper ring 31, and a flange 36 extends outwardly from a lower edge of the skirt 34. The skirt 34 has a height chosen to space the flange 36 downwardly from the upper ring 31 by a desired distance. The flange 36 has a downwardly directed peripheral edge 38.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the top rim 27 can be inserted into the circular recess 33 of the upper ring 31 to be received therein. The upper ring 31 is then fixedly attached to the top rim 27 by seam welding or press fitting or other suitable method, such that the upper ring 31 is attached to the top rim 27 in a non-removable manner. The flange 36 is thus spaced downwardly from the opening 29 and the top wall 26 of the main container 20.

In use, as shown in FIG. 9 , the flange 36 engages an upper edge 101 of a fuel canister holder 102 of the outdoor torch 100. The stop mount flange 30 provides a stopping means for holding a standard metal can 20 from falling into larger container 102. The stop mount flange 30 can be made with any desired dimensions and can be mounted to any standard can having a top rim 27 if required. The top rim 31 having the recess 31 is adapted to receive and attach to the top rim 27.

In the example shown, the flange 36 positions the top wall 26 to be only slightly above the upper edge of the fuel canister holder which provides improved aesthetics to the outdoor torch. This keeps the flame a certain desired height from the top of the fuel canister holder of the torch.

In one aspect, the invention provides the stand-alone stop mount flange, which is attachable to standard cans, if needed. The stop mount flange can be directly attached to the top rim of the canister, pressed/seamed or spot welded thereto, after the canister is fully completed. This allows completion of the fuel canister and then consideration of whether the can needs the stop mount flange in use. If the stop mount flange is not required, then there is no need to attach same and there is no need to make any changes to the canister. This lowers production costs and avoids additional postproduction costs. The cost of the stop mount flange is also relatively cheaper.

In another aspect, the invention provides a fuel canister having the stop mount flange attached thereto in a non-removable manner. This aspect of the invention provides advantages in that the fuel canister is a single use canister, thus doing away with refuelling requirements and the other disadvantages and hazards of prior art fuel canisters mentioned above.

Whilst preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be apparent to skilled persons that modifications can be made to the embodiments described.

For example, the fuel in the canister can be liquid, semi-liquid or gel. In a different embodiment, the fuel is a gel which does not require a wick. The active ingredient can be any flammable gel or liquid with isopropylene. This is a single use non-refillable unit.

The stop mount flange can be used not only for the non-refillable canister but also for any circular container with a rim that requires such a stop mount flange. The stop mount flange is a single separate unit that is secured to a can after the complete can unit is manufactured. If a stop mount flange is required, then it is attached. If a stop mount flange is not required, then it is not attached. This provides advantages against certain one piece prior art units with a stop mounting where if the stop mounting is not needed, a whole new manufacturing die must be made.

Other modifications to the example shown are possible. For example, the height of the skirt 34 and width of the flange 36 can be increased/decreased if needed. The diameter of the upper ring 31 can be varied, such as being 65 mm, 73 mm or 83 mm. The height of the peripheral edge 38 can be larger. The wick can also extend higher and upwardly out of the opening 32.

The flange 36 can also extend at a different angle from the skirt 34. In the example shown, the flange 36 is perpendicular to the skirt 34. As shown in FIG. 10 , the flange 36 can alternatively be angled downwardly relative to the skirt 34. In this example, the flange 36 of the stop mount flange 30 b is angled downwardly at an angle of 15°. In an alternative embodiment, the flange 36 can be angled upwardly.

FIG. 11 shows another modified embodiment of a stop mount flange 30 c with the flange 36 being perpendicular to the skirt 34 and having strengthening grooves 37 formed in the flange 36. This will reduce deflection or avoid deformation of the flange 36.

FIG. 12 shows a stop mount flange 30 d with downwardly angled flange 36 and also having the strengthening grooves 37 formed therein. FIG. 13 is a side view of an assembled fuel canister having the stop mount flange 30 d of FIG. 12 . 

1. A stop mount flange, comprising: an upper ring being comprised of: a central opening and a downwardly facing circular recess shaped so as to receive a top rim of a can to be attached therein, a skirt extending downwardly from an outer edge of the upper ring, and a flange extending outwardly from a lower edge of the skirt, wherein the top rim of a can be inserted into the circular recess of the upper ring to be received therein and the upper ring can be fixedly attached to the top rim by seam welding or press fitting such that the upper ring is attached to the top rim in a non-removable manner.
 2. The stop mount flange of claim 1, wherein the skirt has a height so as to space the flange downwardly from the upper ring by a desired distance.
 3. The stop mount flange of claim 1, wherein the flange has a downwardly directed peripheral edge.
 4. The stop mount flange of claim 1, wherein the flange extends perpendicularly to the skirt.
 5. The stop mount flange of claim 1, wherein the flange is angled downwardly relative to the skirt.
 6. The stop mount flange of claim 1, wherein the flange is comprised of spaced strengthening grooves formed therein.
 7. A fuel canister system, comprising: a base wall, a sidewall, a top wall having an opening closed by a removable cap, a wick holder disc disposed underneath the top wall and the cap, the wick holder disc having an outer rim which is seam welded or pressed with the periphery of the top wall and a top edge of the sidewall to form a top rim of the fuel canister, and the stop mount flange of claim 1 attached to the top rim.
 8. The fuel canister system of claim 4 7, further comprising liquid or semi-liquid fuel therein with a wick or wicks which is/are exposed by removal of the cap.
 9. A method of assembling, comprising the steps of: providing a stop mount, according to claim 1, to a container having a top rim, and providing an upper ring adapted to receive and be seam welded or press fitted to the top rim, wherein the upper ring comprises an outwardly extending flange.
 10. The method of claim 10, wherein the flange is spaced from the top rim by providing a skirt between the upper ring and the flange. 